nanar kradjian: union political table radio

six people can use the radio at once without interfering with the other frequencies all images courtesy of nanar kradjian unless otherwise stated

‘union’ a political table radio by lebanese designer nanar kradjian was displayed as part of the ‘prediction’ exhibition at the saint-étienne biennale 2010. the cube acts as a representation of the crisis in lebanon, where there are multiple acting political parties, and integrates six radios for each of them. each is given a color based on the party’s flag. the antennas are arranged on the top with the tuners, headphones, volume control and outputs found on the sides of the cube.

up to six people can sit together at the same table and plug in to their favored political station without interfering with the others. when the radios are used without headphones, a combination of all six frequencies surface causing a disordered environment of intertwining arguments and discussions that are reminiscent of the unresolved political conflicts that exist in the area. 

the color coding eliminates confusion for the six parties who share one radio image © designboom 

volume controls image © designboom

tuners allow each user to select their preferred station

3/4 view

one speaker outputs all six frequencies

this diagram illustrates the functions of the radio